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Nordic Ski Touring through Ancient Trees, Volcanic Peaks and Stunning National and State Parks

A 250 mile stretch of the Sierra is impassable in winter. From Lake Isabella in the south to Carson Pass in the north, the roads that traverse the Sierras close. Sierra travellers from southern California must choose between going to the east or going to the west. Travellers from the Bay area have few options to get to the Eastside and northern Californians pretty much go around the range. This section concerns the western Sierra and southern Cascades.

The west side of the Sierras is graced by Yosemite Valley, groves of giant Sequoias and approaches to the high alpine terrain that rise abruptly above the Eastside. The Southern Cascades are marked by the distinct volcanic cones of Lassen and Shasta. Three National Parks in this section provide skiers and snowshoers significant nonmotorized areas – which can otherwise be tough to find.

North of Redding, the California national forests offer huge tracts of land, much of it suitable for winter recreation.

Please assess your abilities and what sort of activity or adventure you can safely pursue. No warranty is made regarding the accuracy of this information and all your activity is at your own risk. Check avalanche advisories, weather reports, trail conditions, etc. Know what to take.

Other Areas

Bunny Flat, Mt. Shasta

Near Shasta, the Everett Memorial Highway provides access to Bunny Flat and other areas very popular for spring (and summer) skiing and ski-mountaineering.

Lassen National Forest offers about a dozen designated ski trails spread around the forest, on which OSVs are prohibited (although the surrounding terrain is open to motorized use.) These include the McGowan and Colby areas (mentioned under Groomed Areas) and the Bizz Johnson trail west of Susanville, which follows an old railroad bed.

Horse Camp, Mt. Shasta

The Eldorado National Forest provides a guide to ski trails in the Amador District west of Carson Pass.

In Yosemite National Park, tracks or groomed trails might be found at the Crane Flat area at the north entrance . Map.

A host of other trailheads are provided in the Sierra and Southern Cascades, under the State of California’s OSV (over-snow-vehicle) program. These trailheads can be filled with snowmobiles on weekends and the carbon-monoxide clouds and noise can be overwhelming, but on weekdays or during storms they can provide wonderful human-powered recreation opportunities. In particular:

The Bassett’s, Yuba and Gold Lake OSV trailheads north of Lake Tahoe provide winter access to the Sierra Buttes and lakes basin areas.

The OSV Program trailheads in Sequoia National Monument offer additional touring opportunities. In the monument, snowmobiles are restricted to trail riding only, and some ski-only routes are offered. Map.

Sierra National Forest provides a guide to cross country skiing from Sno-Parks and OSV trailheads.

Lodges

All of the lodging in Yosemite National Park and in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks could be considered cross-country ski resorts. Opportunities range from the luxury of Yosemite’s Ahwahnee, to the Spartan John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon and the rather chilly tent cabins at Curry Village (also in Yosemite – bring your insulating pad to put under the sheet).

In between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the Montecito- Sequoia Lodge offers full family plans and has groomed ski trails and ski programs.

Wilderness Lodges

The Glacier Point Ski Hut is located at Glacier Point, above Half Dome and Yosemite falls, 10.5 mile ski in from Badger Pass ski area. ‘Nuff said. Bring or rent a sleeping bag and enjoy communal dinners and bunk room sleeping. It may seem more like a hut than a resort, but location, location, location! And there is a cook.

In the Eldorado Forest northeast of Placerville, the Loon Lake Chalet can serve as a jumping off point to miles of backcountry touring. The Chalet holds up to 20 people and is rented for 24-hour periods.

The Ostrander hut operated by the Yosemite Association, is an eight mile ski from Badger Pass ski resort, at the start of the Glacier Point road. As with many huts, it was built specifically for skiers.

The Pear Lake Ski Hut in Sequoia National Park , operated by the Sequoia Natural History Association, offers advanced ski and snowshoe touring.